WEYDON students and staff have been working exceptionally hard over the last few months in rehearsing for the production of Animal Farm, which they performed last week to huge acclaim.

The choice of this drama adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel is a hugely challenging one. 

Orwell’s novel was hugely controversial at the time and some 70 years later its story still raises the issues of political corruption and the abuse of power; ideas that are hugely relevant.

The cast have been extremely fortunate to work with internationally acclaimed director and actor Guy Masterson’s in his adaptation of Animal Farm. 

He allowed Weydon students to be the first group to perform his play in the UK, ran two workshops for the cast at the start of rehearsals and watched their final rehearsal.

Since he originally wrote and performed this as a one-man show, he was invaluable in facilitating the students in developing their physicality as animals.

Those who saw the performance were amazed at the quality, with one parent saying: “The acting was superb, particularly the characterisation of the animals both in posture and voice.

“The music matched the feeling of the play and created a fantastic atmosphere, and then to hear it had been composed by the musicians was incredible.”

Weydon students who saw the performance benefited greatly, as drama students got the experience of something very different from the West End norms, while English literature students saw the parallels between the play and two of their core examination texts, Macbeth and Lord of the Flies. 

History students gained a greater insight into the world-changing revolutions and dictatorships that took place in the 20th century.

There were 23 year nine and year 10 students acting the roles, with additional students designing and running the lighting, sound and backstage crew.

The music was all originally composed by year nine and 10 music students supported by Ms Sarah Gilbert, director of the arts faculty.

Drama teacher Susie Drake directed the piece and supported the students throughout the production.